Coffee competition links global beans with Chinese market

Judges taste coffee samples at the third "Taste of China" Global Specialty Green Coffee Bean Competition in Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat ID: minhangnews]

The third "Taste of China" Global Specialty Green Coffee Bean Competition concluded at Hongqiao 365 in Shanghai from May 17 to 18, connecting global coffee producers with China's fast-growing consumer market.

Hosted by Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor, the competition brought together 74 specialty green coffees from 48 farms or processing stations in nine countries. More than 4,000 sample cups were evaluated during the two-day event, creating a professional yet public-facing coffee tasting platform.

The competition uses a dual judging system that combines professional and public reviewers. Public judges accounted for 60 percent of the score, while professional judges accounted for 40 percent, giving Chinese consumers a stronger voice in defining preferred coffee flavors.

Su Chengcheng, chief judge of the Arabica category, said the competition incorporated calibration sessions aimed at enhancing public judges' comprehension of cupping protocols and scoring criteria. These sessions are critical for mitigating potential human bias and ensuring consistency in evaluation across varied assessments.

Beyond selecting quality beans, the event also serves as a trade platform. Zhu Jing, head of Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor, said more coffee-producing countries are seeking to join the competition as China's coffee market continues to upgrade. The contest has been adjusted from once a year to twice a year to better align with different harvest seasons.

Domestic producers also benefited. Hainan-based Feipushan Food Co Ltd said participation in previous editions helped boost both brand awareness and sales. Coffee from Timor-Leste also made its debut at the event, seeking greater recognition among Chinese consumers and traders.

This year's auction started at 100 yuan ($14.7) per kilogram, with the winning washed Arabica beans sold at 650 yuan per kilogram.

 [Photo/WeChat ID: minhangnews]

 [Photo/WeChat ID: minhangnews]